Cheating with ProcFu

If you have read any of my previous articles you know that I love me some Podio API. However it is not something that your average Podio user can take advantage of. Not even your advanced Podio users for that matter. The reason being is that it can only be leveraged by using other programming languages such as PHP and Ruby-on-Rails.

That is what I thought until I stumbled across a tool, created by the same person who developed GlobiFlow, called ProcFu!

What is ProcFu?

Yes, it definitely sounds like a type of Kong-Fu. But what it actually is is a set of scripts that allow you to use the Podio API directly without writing any code. Though you can run these scripts using code as well.

Here is what it would take to use the Podio API by yourself, you would need to handle a few things in code...

Authorization - telling Podio who you are and getting approved by Podio to access the API. This must be done in code before running a Podio Api Procedure. This was not a fun process to learn!

Execute the Podio API procedure by calling it and supplying the correct parameters.

Catching the returned information.

Reading the returned information

Deciding what to do next.

It's a bit more complicated then that, but in the simplest terms that is how a developer would deal with the Podio API.

What ProcFu does is that it handles the Authorization (1), execution (2), catching (3) and reading (4 - depending on the ProcFu script). All that is left up to you is the deciding what to do next with the information.

What can ProcFu Do?

For the most part ProcFu mimics what the Podio API Offers. Many of the scripts are direct representations of a corresponding Podio API process. There are also some that access the Google APIs that are very useful.

Here is the list (taken directly from the ProcFu website). It is being added to all the time as well.

Basic

• hello_world.pf - The most basic example of a script. Given a name, it will simply greet the person with Hello.

• get_var.pf - Get a variable value previously saved with set_var.pf• set_var.pf - Set a variable to later fetch again with get_var.pf• get_shared_var.pf - Get a shared global variable value previously saved with set_shared_var.pf• set_shared_var.pf - Set a global variable to share with others using get_shared_var.pf

How to use ProcFu?

The reason why ProcFu can be used without writing any code is because it works seamlessly with GlobiFlow. The advantage of it being created by the same person.

All you have to do is add the Action item called ProdFu.

Then select the script you wish to execute

and finally just provide the field values.

Yes the POST Params field is a bit overwhelming if you aren't use to those types of things. Sure you could figure it out, but why should you have to if you don't need too?

To make life easier, Andreas created a Chrome Browser extension that will autofill out the parameter field once you select which ProcFu script to run. All you have to do then is replace the parameter values with what you want.

Let me explain what each field represents just in case you are not sure.

Header(s) - This is your ProcFu authorization code. The Chrome Extension fills this in for you, with out it you would have to do this yourself. The Code can be gotten in your ProdFu account settings page. It is blurred out here because you should not share it with anyone.

Variable Name (prodfu) - Defaulted to just "procfu", this is what catches the returned data you get from executing the script. You can name it what ever you like. You'll refer to that name in later GlobiFlow Actions.

From Url - This is the script you will be executing in Url format. the https://prodfu.com/exe/ part will be the same for all scripts I believe, so you'll just have to change the last section to the desired script. If you are using the Chrome Extension this field will get filled out for you once you select the Script you want to run.

** To see more information about the script (and a demo) you can click the green Info button on the right side of the field.

POST Params - Each script requires you to pass along some information and this is where you do that. It must follow a specific format (param1name=value&amp;param2name=value&amp;param3name=value&amp;...). The Chrome Extension will provide the correct parameter string for you.

Use Case #1

Distance between Addresses

There are a ton of things you can do with ProcFu. One of which is getting the distance between 2 addresses. I like to use this to quickly show me how far a property is from my home. I use that to plan out trips to see houses.

Actively being added too. For example the Xero scripts were added as I was writing this blog post.

Google APIs (Maps, Docs and more)

It's not free, but affordable

Has a Podio Community Workspace you can join.

What I don't Like

Tutorials and Help Docs could be a bit better.

Must have Google Chrome Browser to use Extension

Parameter field values are not "dumbed down". Meaning you still have to follow the Podio API's rules for passing them in. Some fields like category fields you need to pass in an Array of values. Not easy for someone who is not technical.

My Final Thoughts

I'll get this out of the way quickly...I am a fan! The tool seems to be in the early stages and will improve for sure. You do need to have some technical skills to understand and use to the fullest extent. BUT it would not be hard to follow someone's example and duplicate what someone else has done.

If you are proficient in GlobiFlow you should be able to use ProcFU no problem at all. I am very interested in seeing where Andreas can take this tool. It's possible he could add scripts to interact with many other 3rd party tools. He probably won't add things specific to real estate investors, but for sure he will add scripts that we can leverage in the future.

As time goes on and I use this tool more I'll post some tutorials on some of my setups. I love tools that have potential and allow me to think outside the box. This is certainly one of those.

Scott is a part time wholesaler, but full time real estate investing addict! As his family grows and his free time shrinks,He has been slowing building his wholesaling business over the past 7 years in between life events.Drive, dedication and never giving up are his strengths.